Spacefaring pilots are getting their first look at a whole new world for Elite Dangerous in the form of its new Odyssey update. For an already expansive universe created by Frontier Development, we now have our first taste of ground-pounding action. If that hasn’t gotten your attention then please read on as we explore this new update.
It is best to begin at the beginning. Ever since Elite Dangerous launched there has been another title looking to steal all the glory in the form of Star Citizen. This space MMO took everything people would want and threw it all together right from launch. I guess it works for some people but I find it to be a buggy experience with overly complex command systems from running around huge cities to flying ships in space. Elite Dangerous for me has taken the best of space flight and combat, mixed in their vehicle system, and now added the first-person shooter experience. It is a game-changing update that starts with content within one system, to begin with, and then it will be expanding over the next few phases.
Our first experience in the new patch is on a ground-based station. We are presented with a small area in which to get our first missions from NPCs, search through the vendors, and then finally head to the new APEX shuttle service to head to our mission locations. After a short, and when I say short I mean about a ten to fifteen-minute shuttle ride depending on the distance, I touched down near my first mission area. I didn’t really understand how to go about the missions at first and I decided to try and go up against a commando. Boy was that a huge mistake. As I learned the error of my ways I respawned back on the station and took a somewhat easier snatch-and-grab mission aimed at finding personal data from a lockbox. Everything was going well until I picked up the item and it didn’t register as collecting it. So my first bug in only two missions. This is an alpha test and things like this happen but I am still happy with the overall mechanics of the update.
With new patches comes great responsibility, well at least Uncle Ben would say that I am sure. Frontier has a massive endeavor ahead of them as they continue through each alpha phase until this new mode is ready to go at one hundred percent. Having added a new array of ground-based weapons and armor means more of a chance to further customize your Commander as you continue your mission, whatever that may be. Be that a bounty hunter, a miner, or even a space-trucker. Going from the cockpit of a starship to a cockpit of an SRV ultimately to the first-person view of your character is a great progression. We can see the work that has been done and how everything was polished before moving into a full launch at each turn. I have never been disappointed with Elite Dangerous.
Walking around the colonies and bases will lead you to NPCs that will scan you and shoot you if you have bounties, or just simply let you walk by. Then you can walk into buildings like a dorm, and regular scientists will be talking to you, though they act like you are weird. The instant immersion is tremendous considering it only launched a few days ago. The characters you run into all want something from you or to have you leave them alone. If you shoot one person or even brandish your weapon, you will be shot at and chased by all of the AI in the area. This makes the ground a dangerous place to be. On top of that, station security air forces will start firing at you as well. So tuck your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye if you start a fight with nothing but your beginner pistol. Do some easy grab missions first and earn some doe ray me so that you can afford better weapons and consumables like medkits. Medkits, grenades, and batteries can also be found within these outposts and that should help with your missions as well.
Another thing you will want to watch out for is your oxygen levels and flight suit power level. If you don’t have oxygen then you die and if you run out of suit power then you die. So add that to getting shot by NPCs and it’s a great big die fest if you aren’t careful. When you walk into pressurized buildings you will not use your suit’s oxygen levels so that is a good thing. There are also suit charging ports that you can use with your energy siphon tool to top yourself off. The scan tool is also helpful with locating your targets and seeing if you find anyone of importance with bounties on them.
Overall, Elite Dangerous: Odyssey alpha is a great first step in bring FPS fighting to a space MMO. Frontier Development is doing a great job with its plans for rollout so far and I can’t wait to experience the full spectrum of this title as the next phases come out to the masses. Odyssey is planned for a late spring launch so get ready Commanders.
Note: Our copy was reviewed on Steam with a code provided by PR.
